What is AB de Villiers' full name?

His full name is Abraham Benjamin de Villiers, often called AB de Villiers or Mr. 360.

What is AB de Villiers' religion?

AB de Villiers is a devout Christian. He has said, 'Jesus is everything in my life – he’s the man,' and his faith has shaped his life and career decisions.

Who is AB de Villiers married to?

He is married to Danielle de Villiers (née Swart) since 2013, and they have three children.

Why did AB de Villiers retire from international cricket?

He retired due to mental and physical fatigue, frustration with Cricket South Africa politics, desire to spend more time with his family, and the financial stability provided by playing in the IPL.

What were AB de Villiers' main goals towards the end of his career?

One of his main goals was to win the 2019 World Cup with South Africa, though it was not the only reason he continued playing.

Who did AB de Villiers mentor in the IPL?

He mentored young Indian players like Mandeep Singh and Sarfaraz Khan, teaching them cricket skills and life lessons.

What makes AB de Villiers a special batsman?

AB de Villiers is known as Mr. 360 because he can hit the ball in every direction. He is adaptable across Tests, ODIs, and T20s and remains calm under pressure.

What are some weaknesses AB de Villiers faced?

He occasionally struggled against certain spin bowlers in T20 cricket, like Ravichandran Ashwin, Graeme Swann, Shahid Afridi, and Nathan McCullum. In longer formats, balancing aggression and patience was sometimes a challenge.

What is AB de Villiers' approach to life and cricket?

He emphasizes being a good human being first, staying humble, and maintaining discipline both on and off the field.

How does AB de Villiers balance family and cricket?

AB prioritizes his family, keeping personal life private and often stepping back from cricket to spend time with his wife Danielle and their three children.

What are some fun facts about AB de Villiers?

He enjoys music as a creative outlet, arrives early and stays late for training, and has helped many young cricketers while keeping his own family life private.

Why is AB de Villiers called Mr. 360?

He earned the nickname Mr. 360 because he can hit the ball to any part of the cricket field with incredible skill, making him extremely versatile as a batsman.

Abraham Benjamin de Villiers: The Man Who Changed How Cricket Is Played

Published: 4 Jan 2026

Some players win matches.
Some win trophies.
Abraham Benjamin de Villiers won hearts.

When he walked out to bat, the ground felt alive. Fans knew they were about to see something special. Balls flew to places no one expected. Bowlers looked confused. That is how the nickname Mr. 360 was born.

But what made him truly special was not just the shots — it was the person behind the bat.

A Gifted Child With Many Talents

Growing up in South Africa, de Villiers was good at many sports. Cricket was important, but so were golf, tennis, and other games that trained quick hands and sharp thinking.

From a young age, he loved practice and discipline. He believed improvement came from effort, not shortcuts.

His Christian faith played a big role in shaping his character. He once said,
“Jesus is everything in my life – he’s the man.”
That belief helped him stay calm under pressure and grounded during success.

A Family-First Life

Away from stadiums and cameras, he is a quiet and caring family man.

He married Danielle de Villiers in 2013. Together they have three children, including a son named Abraham. Family time matters deeply to him, which is why he keeps his personal life away from constant public attention.

Music, golf, and simple moments at home bring him peace more than fame ever did.

Rise of a Cricket Genius

His international journey with South Africa began in the mid-2000s. Very quickly, it became clear the team had found someone rare.

He could:

Defend patiently in tough conditions
Attack fiercely when the moment demanded
Stay calm while others felt pressure

The ability to hit the ball all around the field made Mr. 360 a global icon.

Career highlights include:

ICC ODI Player of the Year (2010)
Leading South Africa to important series wins, including in India
Match-winning innings in World Cups and major tournaments

Leadership came naturally. Teammates trusted his calm voice and clear thinking.

A Teacher in the IPL

In the Indian Premier League, his role went beyond scoring runs for Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Young players like Mandeep Singh and Sarfaraz Khan often spoke about his guidance. One lesson stood out:

“Even if you don’t become a great cricketer, become a good human being.”

Arriving early for training, staying late to help juniors, and never acting superior — that was his way.

Why His Bat Felt Magical

Watching him bat felt like watching an artist at work.

Shots in every direction
Control in Tests, explosiveness in T20s
Calm decisions in the toughest moments

Few players in history mastered all formats the way he did. That is why many consider him the best batsman of his era.

Not Perfect — Just Honest

Even greatness has limits.

Spin bowling, especially from players like Ravichandran Ashwin, caused occasional trouble in T20 matches. But instead of excuses, there was learning. Improvement always mattered more than pride.

Walking Away at His Peak

The decision to retire from international cricket shocked fans.

The reasons were deeply personal:

Mental and physical exhaustion
Frustration with team politics in South Africa
A strong desire to be present for family
Financial freedom through league cricket

Winning a World Cup remained a dream, but life, health, and peace mattered more.

Impact Beyond Runs and Records

Even without playing international cricket, his influence stayed strong.

Young cricketers continued to seek advice
Charities and youth programs benefited from his support
Respect for the game remained central

Those who played alongside him describe a man who was approachable, generous, and genuine.

The Star and the Human Being

To the world, he was a fearless genius.
To teammates, a calm worker.
To family, simply a father and husband.

Fame never changed who he was.

A Legacy That Will Last

Abraham Benjamin de Villiers will be remembered for:

Redefining batting creativity
Lifting teammates rather than himself
Choosing values over noise
Showing that greatness and humility can live together

Final Thought

Cricket gave the world a superstar.
But the world received something better — a role model.

And that is why the name Abraham Benjamin de Villiers will always matter.